An umbrella body of traditional healers in Lagos state, the Association of Traditional Medicine Practitioners (ATMP), has inaugurated a nine-member executive committee.
The new executives, according to the Lagos State chairman of ATMP, Dr Odufuwa, will oversee the affairs of the association in Oshodi-Isolo LCDA for four years.
Speaking during the presentation of a certificate of office to the newly elected members at an elaborate ceremony held at the Oshodi-Isolo LCDA secretariat on Monday, he said, “The newly inaugurated executive members are to see to the affairs and practice of traditional medicine in Oshodi-Isolo LCDA and also ensure that unregistered practitioners are kept at bay while also promoting the ethics and values of the association.”
In his response, the newly elected chairman of the Oshodi-Isolo chapter, Dr Ariyo Akiode, commended traditional medicine practitioners for their commitment and dedication to traditional healing and the general wellness of the people.
Akiode called on member of the association to continue to support the newly inaugurated executive members for a fruitful and impactful tenure.
“It is important that I let all of us know that there is a special office in every Local Council that is saddled with the health affairs of residents in the Local Government Area. The office is known as the office of the Medical Officer of Health, and the person in charge of the Oshodi-Isolo LG office is Dr. Ossy Ubani,” he added.
Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture in Oshodi-Isolo LCDA, Hon Shamsideen Gbamgbokun, who represented the council chairman, urged traditional medicine practitioners to embrace farming to enhance the practice of traditional medicine.
He said, “Traditional medicine practitioners are healers. They heal humanity of all afflictions through the use of herbs and roots. May God continue to strengthen them to continue to be beneficial for humanity.
“The harsh economic situation has seen many Nigerians complaining of food inflation. Subsistence farming is one of the ways through which the food challenges can be addressed. But permit me to ask, how many of us are into farming? Many areas and spaces that ought to serve as farmland have been turned into residential buildings.
“This is having adverse effect on the practice of traditional medicine in Nigeria because leaves and roots that are supposed to be used for medicinal purposes have given way for residential buildings.
“So, how do we correct this? We have to go back to our roots. We have to embrace farming not only for our daily sustenance but also to enhance the practice of traditional medicine.”
The newly inaugurated executive members are Chairman, Dr Ariyo Akiode, Secretary, Kolawole Oseni, Vice Chairman, Dr Kehinde Ibrahim, Treasurer Adijat Ganiu, Financial Sec. Dr Jemilat Fabunmi, Director of Research, Dr Fagbohun and Director of Service, Dr Kilani Jamiu.
Others include Dr Idowu Adedayo as PRO 1; Dr Jimoh Momoh as PRO 2; Igwe Ipaleke Joshua, PRO 3; Chief Whip 2, Bolarinwa Adewale; Chief Whip Taiwo Ibrahim; Chief Whip 3, Wasilat Kehinde; Task Force chairman, Nureni Ogunkunle; and Folorunsho Akiode while Alhaji Waheed Olateju was appointed at the patron and Alhaja Zainab Sanni as the matron of ATMP in Oshodi-Isolo LCDA.
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